News

The President calls for strengthened efforts to increase inclusion of women in leadership

Published

2 months ago

21/03/2023

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih called on Monday to strengthen efforts to create an inclusive environment where women have equitable opportunities as policymakers and in leadership roles, both in the public and private sectors. He made these remarks while speaking at the official function to mark International Women’s Day (IWD 2023).

The official ceremony to mark IWD 2023 was held at the Umar Zahir Office Building in Hulhumalé. President Solih was joined at the function by First Lady Fazna Ahmed, Vice President Faisal Naseem, and senior officials of government offices and institutions.

Speaking at the event, President Solih highlighted the administration’s Gender Equality Action Plan, which was unveiled in 2022. The plan seeks to increase the participation of girls and women in all sectors, disrupt the systematic assignment of roles influenced by gender stereotypes, and ensure equal consideration to protect the interests of men and women in the decision-making process.

The President also highlighted the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company’s (MTCC) commendable achievements in promoting and empowering women’s rights. He added that guidelines are in place in all government offices and institutions that reflect the importance of ensuring equity and equality, and he called on them to take steps immediately to ensure the implementation of those policies.

The theme for IWD 2023 is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.” Speaking on this note, President Solih stated that the theme aims to celebrate the achievements of girls and women in promoting innovative technology and digital education. He added that the administration’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP) focuses on economic diversification, information and communication technologies (ICT), and sub-sectors, including gender equality.

The President also spoke about the administration’s efforts to empower women and highlighted its efforts through the Maldives Enhancing Employability and Resilience of Youth (MEERY) project. He added that the administration introduced equal pay for men and women in sports and accommodated children under the age of two and a guardian to accompany athletes during training camps abroad.

The administration is also taking steps to encourage working mothers and end barriers to their employment. President Solih added that child-friendly spaces are being dedicated in government offices and institutions, while some agencies have introduced flexible hours for working mothers.

In conclusion, the President urged for a whole-of-society approach to promoting and protecting women’s rights and empowering them to take on leadership roles in all sectors. At the function, President Solih presented the Rehendhi Award 2023 to the winners, and the First Lady presented the winners with brooches.

Vice President Faisal Naseem launched the “Madhadhugaaru” mobile phone application at the function. The pilot episode of the “Amaze” video series was also screened at the function.

Source(s): President Office

News

Nasheed touts parliamentary system as fix for delay in ministers’ response

Published

2 days ago

30/05/2023

Speaker Mohamed Nasheed stated during the parliamentary sitting Tuesday that switching to a parliamentary system is the solution to delays in response from government ministers to queries by MPs.

During Tuesday’s sitting, Thimarafushi MP Abdulla Riyaz expressed concern over the delay in getting a response from government ministers.

He said that while parliamentary regulations require ministers to respond to question from MPs within 14 days, ministers usually take two-three months to send a response.

Riyaz asked the Speaker to solve the issue.

“I called the Secretariat of the Parliament even yesterday, because of the lack of response to some of the questions I have sent. I was told the ministers hadn’t had time to send a response because they are so busy. I don’t believe the regulations states that ministers must send answers when they have the time,” he said.

Nasheed responded that he doesn’t believe the delay in response is from ministers alone, and said it would continue to be a recurrent problem so long as the Parliament doesn’t switch to a parliamentary system.

“All of you would agree that expediting this requires changing the entire system of the Parliament. This will continue to happen as long as the Parliament does not switch to a parliamentary system,” he said.

MPs are waiting for answers to 45 questions from ministers, 22 of them in writing.

Nasheed said the Parliament will not be able to clear the backlog even if 10 ministers are summoned for questioning in a single day.

Nasheed has long advocated for a parliamentary system in Maldives, something which he often finds himself at odds with other political leaders over.

Source(s): sun.mv

World

Sri Lanka to require heavy metals report for fruit imports

Published

2 days ago

30/05/2023

COLOMBO, May 30 (Xinhua) — Importers of fruit into Sri Lanka will be required to obtain a report on heavy metals starting from June 1 as part of the country’s efforts to improve food safety, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The new requirement came after a recent survey by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health, which found that many imported fruit samples were contaminated with lead, the ministry said in a statement.

The heavy metals report must come from an accredited and independent laboratory from the exporting country and will be a mandatory requirement for the release of fruit consignments into the country.

Importers are advised not to import any fruit with heavy metals above the Codex levels, as they will be rejected at the port of entry, said the ministry.

The country has been working to strengthen its food safety regulations in recent years, in response to concerns about the safety of imported food.

Source(s): Xinhua

World

India launches next-gen navigational satellite

Published

2 days ago

30/05/2023

NEW DELHI, May 29 (Xinhua) — The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) on Monday successfully launched a second-generation navigation satellite NVS-01, officials said.

The navigational satellite weighing about 2,232 kg was launched on board an expendable Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh state.

According to the ISRO, NVS-01 is the country’s first second-generation satellites envisaged for the Navigation with Indian Constellation services.

Officials said an indigenous atomic clock was flown in NVS-01 for the first time.

Source(s): Xinhua